Girlawhirl has been to many an office holiday party and she's seen the very best, and the very worst, in coworker behavior. The dos and don'ts of making it through the office party season unscathed are pretty straightforward – as in don't drink too much and get caught photocopying body parts in the copy room and don't tell everyone exactly what annoys you about them – but there are also great advantages to taking part in a little after hours office socializing…
In addition to the basics – like don't get caught with your proverbial pants down and standing on a desk in a skirt is never a flattering angle – there are also some very valuable things Girlawhirl can do at the office holiday party to help boost her career.
In Kate Lorenz's CareerBuilder.com article, Hitting Happy Hour Can Help Your Career, Carol Spieckerman, president of the management consulting firm Newmarketbuilders, says showing up for office social functions “shows you're a team player” and “helps you control your reputation at work.” Suzanne Hallberg, a public relations professional, agrees. She adds any off-the-clock gathering at work is a good time to pick up valuable tips about the business because coworkers naturally talk about work in social group settings like happy hours and office parties.
Also, it's not imperative to drink at these kinds of functions. Workplace behavior expert John Putzier says it's okay to have a soda or water, as long as you are not trying to make others feel bad for enjoying a cocktail. He also says to “watch your mouth” and listen 75% of the time. Not only will it help coworkers think you're interested in what they have to say, it's also a time to learn more about the business, and keep you from sticking your foot in your mouth.